Prizm Tops Twin Corolla In Survey

June 9, 1994|By Automotive News

LOS ANGELES — One of the more puzzling results of the 1994 J.D. Power Initial Quality Survey is the fourth-place finish of the Geo Prizm.

The Prizm's score of 56 problems per 100 cars easily outdistanced its assembly-line twin, the Toyota Corolla. While the Prizm improved from last year's score of 89 problems per 100 cars, the Corolla remained fixed at 76.

So how come? They are the same car, aren't they?

Industry analysts said the Corolla's score may have been worse because three different plants produce it. The Prizm is built only at the GM-Toyota Nummi plant in Fremont, Calif., alongside some Corollas.

But the Corolla also is produced in Cambridge, Ontario, as well as in Japan.

So is it the plant? Not necessarily. Although Nummi was awarded a silver medal by Power for initial quality this year, the Cambridge plant was a bronze medal winner last year.

Consultant Jeremy Anwyl, president of Marketec Systems in Santa Ana, Calif., said dealer prep may play a role.

''Perhaps the pre-delivery inspections at Chevy/Geo dealerships are better. After all, final quality does fall on the dealership,'' Anwyl said.

Toyota customers also may be more demanding than Prizm buyers, said Steve Goodall, partner with J.D. Power.

He said, ''Geo buyers tend to skew more from the domestic background, rather than the import side. Corolla buyers' expectations may be higher because it's a Toyota, compared to buyers coming into a Geo from another domestic.''